Do you think the job market for nurses will improve by the time you graduate?

slacktime · Apr 25, 2010

It has already!

I graduated in Dec 09, passed boards in Jan 10, applied for two jobs, interviewed for one and was hired. I started orientation two weeks ago with 30 other new grads, 20 were my former classmates. there were 40 some new RNs in our class, all but a handful (5) have jobs. I think the job market is turned around and it will get better as Obama care is phased in.

dandk1997RN, MSN, RN · Apr 26, 2010

I work at a hospital in the Capital District of NY. We currently have 54 openings for RNs- some per diem, some float, some part time, and some full time (looks like a pretty even mix of PD, PT, and FT.) Some are in the hospital, some in home care, some are probably even in LTC. And some are probably really cruddy hours. But we do have them....

itsmejuli · Apr 26, 2010

I honestly don't think things are going to change much in the next 2 years.

I'm a new LPN, got my license in October and recently got a job in an LTC. During my interview I let the DON know that I was going on to RN. She assured me that I'd be able to work there as an RN also. I'm glad, because I don't want to take a chance of being unemployed as a new grad RN when I graduate next year.

buransic · Apr 28, 2010

Clearly the job market is tough. But remember, right now, you can only take one job at a time, so there only has to be one available - yours. Competent, hard working, polite, punctual, cheerful, cooperative people are always viewed as assets. Managers and directors find ways to hire them even in a tough economy (this is true for almost all disciplines). My impression of job hunting kind of matches the post-bubble economy - don't overlook the fundamentals. 1) Treat it like a full-time job (minimum 40hr/wk) and use your network (instructors, clinical instructors, nurse managers on the floor where you had clinicals, anyone that works in a hospital, classmates and so on and so on). 2) Keep your resume sharp, rework it, get help even if you don't think you need it. 3) Use a cover letter; these days it seems to set you apart a bit. 4) Hit the pavement (job fairs, look for nurse managers and give them your resume); it's far too easy to overlook a new grad putting in an on-line application. 5) Get reference letters from you instructors (tip: learn how to write a reference letter, ask them if they want you to write it, send via email, then offer to pick them up after they edit and sign them). Carry these letters to your interviews (a slightly non-traditional twist, but it may set you apart).

tainted1972, ASN, RN · Apr 28, 2010

I am an LPN that just graduated in February. The job market is really bad for new nurses. Even RN grads I know are having a difficult time finding jobs.

I was able to get a job with a former employer, No one else called me!

Most of the new grads I know got jobs in the same way.

My suggestion is to any one in nursing school is to become a nursing assistant in a facility in which you would like to work at when you become a nurse. This is the old foot in the door theory and it works. good luck to all of you

squirt2008 · Apr 28, 2010

I recently participated in a webinar on Workforce Nursing Shortage and some of the #'s were staggering. For example: A very large # of RNs will be retiring due to baby boomers. 900,000 of the 2.5M RN's are >50 yrs old. 64% of the RN's are hospital based. They estimate a shortage of >800,000 RNs by 2020. WOW! I am in public health and I know that is a field that is often forgotten about. I worked in hospital setting for over 15 years, I can tell you....I love being a public health RN. The demand for public health RNs will continue to rise.....so consider it as another possible area of specialty.

worldtraveler · Apr 28, 2010

For starters, there NEVER was a Nursing shortage. That was the Kool Aid some wanted prospective nurses(students) to believe. College admission recruiters, Major News Media Outlets, nurses in current practice and Parents are partly responsible for a lot of this groupthink. Fcats were never really checked out for veracity. In reality, many simply Nurses left the field for other lines of work, raise families ect but maintained their licensure. If you could have checked out the individual nursing boards on how many Nurses held active( as well as dormant) licenses in their states, in all probability, the numbers would not have reflected a shortage. The fact that many Nurses returned to active work since the recession bears this point out.

Another factor certainly that will affect Nursing(as well as ancillary fields i.e. rt, pt, ot ect) Jobs in the future will be the large numbers of Americans seeking Healthcare outside the US. Many patients (myself included for dental) have and will travel outside the US borders for lower priced(but still high quality) Healthcare. Many Hospitals worldwide are currently seeking JCOH(usa) Accredidation and when this happens, depending on the unknown numbers of potential patients, this could really affect the general Medical US Job Market. Other so called secure US Jobs (think radiologists, CPA-accounting ect) have already been farmed outside US Borders, don't think Nursing is 100% immune to this business influence. That's just more Kool-Aid if you think it won't be an influence! Many patients are currently going to Mexico, India ect for everything from Open Heart, Transplant & othropedic procedures. Don't include Dental & Plastic Surgery trips to South America, the patient numbers skyrocket.

happymommy3 · Apr 29, 2010

I am finishing up my first semester and have been hired by a local hospital for after I graduate. It is an expansion type program, as listed above by a previous poster. It is a huge weight off me as I finish up school to know I already have a job lined up. The money for school is nice but the job was my main motivation in pursuing it. They have ten slots per year for this program and recipients get priority consideration for all internships as well. I still intend to interview with other hospitals and programs - worst that happens is I have to pay the money back if I decide another situation would be a better fit. For me that would not be a problem.
I don't know how competitive it is to secure one of these types of positions. I was called immediately, interviewed immediately and hired two days after the interview. So either I look good on paper and interview well or a lot of people aren't applying.

I will be starting nursing school in October and I would love to secure a position in an expansion program like the one you mentioned. How do I go about applying for something like that? It sounds like it is something that is offered after your first semester, right? How and when did you find out about the program? Do most hospitals offer programs like this? I appreciate any information/suggestions you have. It sounds like a great opportunity--congrats!! :)

P.S. What state are you in?

joies1 · Apr 29, 2010

Not to worry ~~~ Good nurses will always be needed. It just may not be where or how you had in your plans. I know everyone comes through and out of school with 'their plan' and preference. If you can get it right away - go for it. I have worked in nursing for nearly 30 years (and I live in a rural community). Spent nearly 20 years at the local hospital, but got old and 'not so well'. Now I am 'health care coordinator' for a dementia care facility. Pay is crappy as compared to hospital and paperwork is overwhelming, but my knowledge and insights are crucial to caring for these people. (And believe me ! There is always a waiting list of residents !)

That is one of the things I have always loved about nursing ~ You can always take those skills and license to a vast arena of job types that either require or prefer an RN. Assisted living is growing by leaps and bounds - and requires an RN to manage uncertified staff (training, direction, etc) Nursing homes and Rehab facilities need nurses. Even independent living often wants nursing oversight. As do foster care homes and businesses. Some insurance companies want nurses to provide evaluations. As healthcare becomes more 'socialized' (yea! because I feel very much as someone noted above that greedy corporations are ruining our healthcare delivery systems), it is likely that that more clinics will be opened to provide less expensive health management than we have had in years past. Naturopaths, chiropractors and such often want an RN on their team. Of course, there is working in a doctor's office, too. I'm sure the list could go on.

So ~ if you really want to nurse. Then, so be it, and your wish is fulfilled ! But if you're just looking at the place, position or wages . . . . . well, job availability might be less than you hoped.

Good wishes and good luck.

worldtraveler · Apr 29, 2010

Joies1--Just to hijack the thread for a second for clarification on your statement "healthcare becomes more 'socialized' (yea! because I feel very much as someone noted above that greedy corporations are ruining our healthcare delivery systems)"---The Fact is that the USA, excluding Medicare, the VA systerm for our Vets and our Military system for our Active duty Vets , we don't have a functioning nationwide healthcare delivery system. We have a mismash of private and public, profit and nonprofit instiutions as well as some free charity clinics in the mix. Hardly a standardized system! That is/was part of the problem and its why there was a large outcry for Healthcare reform. State to state across the US, there is not much in healthcare that is standard that would add up to a functioning system i.e. electronic charting/record keeping. There really wasn't much to ruin. BTW, our VA and also our military healthcare system are "Socialized" and function well across all states and countries worldwide. Docs/Nurses are Government employees. I know this as a fact as a patient as well as having worked at the VA many years and having used the system for over 39 years.

joies1 · Apr 29, 2010

Hey worldtraveler - - so am I ! (born in Panama, kindergarten in Japan and high school in France) Long time ago because I'm 61 now. Ugh.... Still travel when I can [a month in Peru a couple years ago]

Anyway, back to the subject........ You did not hijack me ! You stated, much as I feel.

When my small rural local hospital was just that - we were a family. And we were one of the top 100 hospitals of our designation in the country ! We worked together. Worked well and compassionately. Eventually all was taken over by a large hospital concern. Yes, it had its good sides, but predominantly it did not seem individual and patient oriented. Designers and PR people came in with a few, very decent ideas, but totally neglected our community hospital purpose. Nor did they take any input from the professional 'working staff' in remodeling to facilitate patient care. At least half of our patient care areas were taken over by administrative offices. The additions and therapies to out-patients is good. But the loss of general public respect and confidence has been awful.

And that is just my wee part of this world !

Since I have been out of the hospital I have been largely with corporations. Maybe I am too naive, but it - even more - seems to be only profit ridden. The corporate focus seems largely toward profit and keeping up to state regs. So, in my case, the paperwork keeps expanding and the individual nursing time keeps diminishing. Always wanting and being - in essence - a bedside nurse ~ this is frustrating. Thankfully - somehow - I have been able to push through a few 'real resident' care concerns. And, thankfully, I love teaching. I have a super staff ! Do I know it all ~ NEVER !

So, if I am reading you right, we are in absolute accord !

The old nursing commitment is as Patient Advocate. It is too important to gloss over. It is our job.

Cannot thank you enough for your input.

ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA · Apr 29, 2010

A very large # of RNs will be retiring due to baby boomers. 900,000 of the 2.5M RN's are >50 yrs old. 64% of the RN's are hospital based. They estimate a shortage of >800,000 RNs by 2020.

That's an excellent point. More and more nurses will retire, and hopefully less and less people will be attracted to the field of nursing for awhile d/t lack of jobs(although this is not likely). I don't think that the shortage will ever be > than 800k though. A lot Americans saw their retirement accounts wiped out during the recession, and a lot of these nurses may sadly be forced to work until the day they die. Schools will also probably continue to churn out RNs. Lets HOPE that people DO leave their jobs for whatever reason (retirement, career change, disliking bedside care).

With all political opinion aside, 32 million currently uninsured individuals will have health insurance. This will be a very interesting situation. Will the influx of nurses ultimately prove to a blessing? OR will quality of care diminish because reimbursement may not sufficient enough for the amount of patients a nurse may be assigned to care for? The bottom line is: NURSES WILL BE NEEDED! Lets hope nursing unions are strong enough to keep the nurse to patient ratio safe enough for quality care.

The month of March saw 162,000 jobs added to the market. There were more jobs added than lost, so that is a good sign. It's a sign of life. With the exception of Greece, the world's economy is improving as well. A lot of the world is just as dependent on the US as the US is on China. Things WILL/ARE getting better! Nursing jobs will probably never be as plentiful as they once were, but nurses will be in need.

I PRAY the market eases up by June 2011. I have NOT put in all this work to become a RN to not have a job. Here in CA, the job market is scarce. I'm currently a LVN, and I've just now found a job 8 months after graduation. Once I'm a RN, I'm more than willing to relocate to states like Arizona. Anyone know how the job outlook is in AZ??!!